How Fixing Small Leaks Can Prevent Big Utility Bills

You can cut your water bill by almost 10% simply by mending leaks. The Environmental Protection Agency figures that household leaks waste over 10,000 gallons of water annually. And that's an average. More serious leaks—like those from toilets that won't stop running—can waste up to 200 gallons a day. Reduced to dollar bills, that's nearly 600 bucks saved each year. And that's with the leakiest toilet in the world. Put to good use, that's money that could go toward a semester's textbooks.

Usually, when leaks occur, the water bill responsibility rests on either the property owner or the tenant. Who pays depends on the lease agreement. When even a small leak occurs, it is vital to take prompt action to "stop the drop." Stopping means preventing a "draining" effect on utility expenses that can add up tremendously. Stopping also means avoiding unnecessary expenses incurred in making repairs after the fact.

Certainly! Here’s the text rewritten but with the same structure and format preserved: If you have a leak, you are usually liable for paying the cost of the water that is going to waste. You're even more likely to be responsible if the leak has been going on for any length of time and the water bill has gone up as a result. And don't forget the repairs: You're going to have to budget for fixing that leak.

Stemming the flow can save a lot of water. Even a very small continuously dripping faucet can waste several gallons of water per day, which adds up to several thousands of dollars. Unless you are using a clean, dry bathroom, the only thing that could add to your utility bill more than a dripping faucet is a forcibly running toilet. While you might think of plumbing as a "dark art" best left to the professionals, fixing these problems is well within the capabilities of most homeowners. Inspections can identify leaks early. When maintaining your home's plumbing, be alert for signs of drips, moisture, or sound.

The expense incurred in mending a water leak can greatly fluctuate, depending on where the leak is located, how bad it is, labor rates in your part of the country, and whether you plan on repairing it yourself or bringing in a professional. For minor leaks, such as a dripping faucet, the cost can be relatively low. This could range from a few bucks for the parts if you attempt to solve the problem by yourself, or possibly $100 to $200 if you call in a plumber to tackle the job. But if the leak is big or the location problematic—such as a leak in an underground pipe or one that's hidden in a wall—you're probably looking at several hundred to a few thousand dollars that could come out of your pocket to pay for the repairs.

A dripping faucet can be a significant contributor to elevated water bills. If a faucet is leaking, then it is likely to be a fairly severe leak. Water drips from a faucet at a rate of one drip every second. Over a year, that would amount to 3,000 gallons of water just dripping from the faucet. Given the current national average, that amounts to a cost of over $180 a year.

A leak can be repaired by a plumber, but the cost can vary widely depending on several factors. These include the location of the leak, its complexity, and the experience level of the plumber you hire. You might pay an average of $75 to $250 for a leak repair in a standard location. Yet, if your leak is in an unusual or high-risk spot, like under your foundation or behind a wall on the second story, expect to pay more—maybe a lot more—for the plumber to reach and stop the leak. Conversely, if your problem is straightforward and your plumbing is old or was poorly installed, we're guessing you'll pay up to around $200 for a simple straightforward half day of work.

Home insurance may pay for water leaks, but it typically depends on the reason and how the leak got started. Most standard policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, like that from a burst pipe. However, they usually don't cover damage from longstanding maintenance problems or slow, "unseen" leaks that could have been taken care of before they became big problems. Understanding where your specific policy stands when it comes to covering water leaks requires a careful read of the fine print and a chat with your insurance rep. Regularly fixing small leaks could be the key to preventing serious water damage and serious financial headaches when it comes time to settle insurance claims.

Mending a dripping faucet can reduce utility costs considerably. A faucet that leaks at the rate of one drip per second will, on average, lose more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. For typical homeowners, that means wasting an average of $28.50, as well as the potential wasted energy associated with heating that water. Stopping that leak can save water, energy, and, ultimately, cash.

A leaky pipe can typically be fixed by a handyman, as they are skilled in performing various minor home repairs, including basic plumbing tasks. However, if the leak is complex or persistent, it may be advisable to call a licensed plumber, as they are experts and will ensure that the problem is resolved completely and properly.